Spool



NOV. 3, 1953 F, J, B|EBER 2,657,876

SPOOL Filed Sept. l5, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 3, 1953 SPOOL Frederick J. Bieber, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Acrometal Products, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application September 15, 1952, Serial No. 309,668

3 Claims. (Cl. 242-118) My invention relates generally to winding spools, bobbins or drums for winding of textile threads, wire, and the like.

In particular. my invention relates to improvements in Winding spool constructions whereby the effective life of a winding spool may be materially increased.

In the textile industry, or in the manufacture of wire, the finished thread or wire filament is generally wound upon a winding drum or spool from whence the same is subsequently removed and wound upon other spools for transportation, sale, or otherwise disposed of. Spools ofthe type described are usually mounted for rotation on tapered rotary spindles, the spools having tapered central apertures by means of which frictional locking engagement is effected between the spool and the spindle. Obviously, when a spool is mounted on a rapidly rotating spindle, n

slippage occurs therebetween until the spool has been moved axially of the spindle to effect frictional locking therebetween. Continuous mounting and dismounting of the spool upon the spindle will, over a period of time, cause the tapered mounting aperture in the spindle to wear to a degree which necessitates replacement of the spool. Inasmuch as these spools rotate ata relatively fast rate, they must be carefully made and balanced for the most eflicient operation. Hence, when the spool becomes worn to the point where it must be discarded, the cost of replacement thereof is sometimes prohibitive. The primary object of my invention is, therefore, the pro- Vision of a winding spool as set forth, having a relatively inexpensive disposable spindle engaging bearing element which, when worn out, can be quickly and easily replaced in the spool at a minimum cost.

Another important object of my invention is the elimination of mechanical joints between the winding drum element and end flanges of a winding spool and resultant joint openings wherein a portion of thread or wire filament may become lodged when being wound thereon, thereafter with smooth and uniform unwinding and often resulting in breakage of the filament.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a winding spool as set forth, which can be manufactured at a minimum cost, which is highly efficient in operation, and which is rugged in construction and durable in use. l

The above and still further highly important objects and advantages of my invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed spec1- cation, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the invention,`and in which like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a winding spool built in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an axial section taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation as seen from the right to the left with respect to Fig. l.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, a spool is shown as comprising a tubular winding drum element I having integrally formed radially outwardly projecting circumferential flanges 2 and 3 at opposite ends thereof. 'I'he winding drum element is preferably made from a single piece of cast metal such as aluminum or the like and machined to provide smooth outer surfaces, and a cylindrical inner Wall surface 4 kconcentric with the outer surface 5 of the winding drum element. The flanges 2 and 3 at their peripheral edge portions are covered by rims 6 and are preferably made from nylon or other suitable material.

Mounted in opposite end portions of the interior of the winding drum element I are a pair of bushings or the like I and 8. The interior wall 4 of the drum element I is diametrically enlarged at its opposite end portions to providerecesses 9 and I0 respectively for the reception of diametrically enlarged heads II and I2 of the bushings 1 and 8, respectively. The bushings 1 and 8 are held against axial inward movement by seating of the enlarged head portions II and I2 thereof in the bottom of their respective recesses 9 and I0, and are anchored against axial outward movement and against rotation with respect to the spool by scoring as indicated at I3 and I4, both the winding drum and the bushings yare scored with an interlocking arrangement so that a permanent connection is effected therebetween. The bushings 'I and 8 are preferably made from steel or other material suitable for the purpose. The bushing 1 is provided at itsouter end with a central outwardly opening recess I5 and a central aperture I6 concentric with the recess I5 and the winding spool. The side walls of the recess I5 and the aperture I6 define the edges ofa stop shoulder I l, the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent. In like manner, the bushing 8 is provided with an axially inwardly opening central recess I8 and a central aperture I9 lconcentric with the recess I8 and the spool.

Obviously. the aperture I9 is axially aligned with the aperture I6 and bushing 1 until, with reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the aperture I8 is of greater diameter than the aperture I6. The side wall of the recess I8 and the aperture I9 define the outer and inner edges respectively, of a stop shoulder 20 in the bushing 8. Further, the said outer. I@ is provided with a pair of radially inwardly.V opening notches 2l which are in diametrically opposed relationship and which extend from the outer edge of the bushins l to the bottom of the recess I8. It will be not that the outer surface of the bushings 1 and lies substantially in the same plane` as the surface of the flanges 2 and l, so. that the. will: ders I1 and 20 are axially inwardly spaced im the extreme opposite ends o; Extending between the bds ings 1 and z8 is a. tubular core or bearing element 22 and a head 23 at one end thereof and a reduced diameter ma. u @las Asul wenn.. se, shawn .la ns. 2. the. bearing element'. 1% wally ot: the and @bereid the. 223 mm2 engaging the ep. ehedlder 29. whereby t balimlted dialnet. exis-.l vllildilelldelli iid. di: means. fer leekids th. f bedside! element 22 against axial movement the Opposite direction. comprised a eeovelledal Split 25 moms massamedia s. dimmer-ended eer.- tended groove 26 in the outgr,s\n':\ l1` ofj the Ieducedooxtion u-.ef thet tubular bearing mlber 22 andimmedietels. axially only .dla-0f; theater? shoulder. LJ. whereby; Wieck. thewbef l2 misst axlalmevementin. the enpeetedreetion. Means. for. the Sibilla? beeld??? agamst retetmg with were@ i911?? bushings. spool. a. Pei.. ef. did-Piet.- lricami'.` opposed lugs. er. eveil; which. dre. formed .integral with and which. extend. reddllx 01.1#- wdm of unread. 23. inte, the Qppeeednelellee u vxhenthclbearng member lfiemdlllledthe spool. rlhe. relatively fades en averi-dre Ifinthe bushing. 1 as comparedtothe diameter otthemainlbody. portion. off the @hule-1V beaiig ulaments... e1ement...l.2.frm bell-ls inserted into andlmnnerly. anehcred id .in but. one. direction.. Thus.. the Spoel.. will: nel betumed end. for endwhen. remeved frein. 0.13? luchar. location andreleeated Qn a.. dlleredigde.- 'ldedionunwindlnsxot the. thread 0r.- wile ldelldld thereon.

"rhstnmuarbeanng, elementll; id. fermedi ed; jacent-.sits vopposite 'endsV with. tapered 'surfaceportions,"A andyl which define. axially spaced. surface portions.. 0f; a. 2.0.1112v ed um): tnrsuzhthe bearingelement. 'Dhefiaper of, tbc` brins wall@ surface. mrtion` 2 8. and 2 0 lix;id.-.ntic.alto. the taperof; a rotary spindleon which. thespool is.. adaptedV to be rnonntcd-y in practice. said. spindle. being. Shown. by dei@ lines. in Fig. 2 and indicated by the reference character A. Normally, a. oup-like/erflll is .pressed into .therecess I5, said terrine having a central openineM.l through which .the Spindle A .projects when. the. 'spindle is mountedthere on'. The lfcrrulellr not oniyprovidesanished appearance4 to. the 4adjacent end/.of the but alsoserves as. an indicator to the operator asto which. end. of the spool-should be appliedtothe rdaryspindleA.

As' above indicated, when the winding'. S9001 vhas beenin. prolonaednsel frictionbetween `relatively hard spindle. A andthe bearingl surf facesse!` thespool during the. appli tion odi-the spool to.` thespindle, causes sutlicientweerv4` op 7 45 redded aligned! apertures: e

and 29 become worn to a point where emcient operation is no longer possible, the operator merely removes the ferrule 30 from the recess .5. and the ma ring 2i non thev odiacent edd ol the tubular bearing ehment Thereafter the tubular bearing element 22 is removed from the spindle and a new bearing element 22 installed therein. Thus, the spool is again placed in condition for efficient operation without appreciav hie m ofytllpg ggd' at a minimum of expense.

u hasmugh as the` bearing element 22 is inexpom to. produc. as compared to the cost of producing an entire spool with integrally formed bearings. In tact, the spool I, under normal conditbns. will have an eiective life equal to a number of tubular bearing elements. Ob-

Yiedslaf, with described we- 14s,. the relatueely hgh-t weight 0I. my heeel spool will be a contributing b. its.i own 111e or. thev met wat me :rimossi had" imi posed upon. the hewn@ Surface when the spool. l

to. the :can semola .1s maintained s a minimum.

invention has been. therlouzmytested und found, tobe, completely, satisfactory :or the ooe cenwliehmem. erm. oblecmee, set was; ma

Wllllf, -hdiiefshem and described a commercial emhedmledl ef nw wel speel lt'will be-uddereleed that. tbesame. is capable of modidedlden- Witheull departure. trom f and Sleeve-ef ille-invenrldassdenneamwhefelm.

mail is;

L. @ri-:a Spoolyqf the .classvdescxlbed o tub winding doin-element hav-incl 'a radially; me wardlxmeleetlng circumferential. danse at oooh.

4o edd thereof'. d. seller. aligned.:

one. each. withintanopposite end; Portion -ot didn. element, seid nava@ am elled. .-Qlltwdddlv @Berlins central Gentile with Said. drum. element an axiallyliowardlg froxgythe bottomsof thermen delnsl.l SL99.: fshelllderdy .inwa'rsllv fxeln eepesite et eidg element. a whlllar bedrmsfelemedtaxillzslidahle intend elestjand melanoom bush y r berm; essere @ma s? will despedir te; Said.. blhiwa and( emaaoabh' std enedfieald Sten. Shoulders-te limit anni' @vement-0259141 element! innefdlrec- @o esnesltefdlreetiongsaldfbearmaei 2i Inga: epedlfef. the felwldeeeribed, s. tubular winding dl'didi element' yhaving an, intesrallvfcreledzredldllwsliwerdlal.. ewieells dimmer# anual-nonsense@ eddhereel, agadir of wal- 1y alisnedrhuhmsedae each cdntamedfwthin anoppositeleodipmtomf the drsdm elemente means anchoring esaidi'buhlngs against axial annunciando-masserie wimmnd s :he drum. element. Said. hands 'axially aligned. ealwerdls s withldfdwmelementaod extending axially inwardly from the bottoms of the recesses, the side walls of said recesses and the apertures defining the outer and inner edges respectively of stop shoulders inwardly spaced from the opposite ends of said drum element, a tubular bearing element axially slidable into and out of said apertures, a head on one end of said bearing element engageable with one of said stop shoulders for limiting axial movement of said bearing element in one direction, releasable means on the other end of said tubular bearing element cooperating with the stop shoulders of the other of said bushings to lock the bearing element against axial movement in the opposite direction, and means on said bearing element and one of said bushings for locking the bearing element against rotation with respect to the bushings, said bearing element having an inner wall portion tapering toward one of its ends, whereby said spool may be mounted on a tapered driving spindle for common rotation therewith.

3. In a spool of the class described, a tubular winding drum element having an integrally formed radially outwardly projecting circumferential ange at each end thereof, a pair of axially aligned bushings one each anchored within an opposite end portion of the drum element, an axially displaceable tubular bearing element having its opposite ends each concentrically mounted in one of said bushings, and means releasably locking said bearing element against rotary and axial sliding movements with respect to said bushings, said bearing element having axially spaced inner wall surface por- 'tions tapering toward one of its ends, said inner wall surface portions defining axially spaced surface portions of a cone extending axially therethrough, whereby said spool may be frictionally mounted on a tapered driving spindle for common rotation therewith.

FREDERICK J. BIEBER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

